It wasn’t quite the ending the Lady Bronc softball team wanted, but it really was more than anyone expected of the team. “To play Saturday morning of the state tournament and finish third when no one expected our team to advance this far,” said coach Dave Kearns. “It’s a good day.”
Hamilton finished third in the Class A State softball tournament, after losing to Belgrade in the undefeated game and then Polson in the third place game. Belgrade went on to win the championship with the Lady Pirates finishing second.
The Lady Broncs began their quest for hardware on Thursday when they opened against Ronan. As the No. 2 seed from the Southwest Conference, they matched up against Ronan, the No. 3 seed from the Northwest.
The Lady Broncs came out swinging in the first inning and brought in six runs. Freshman Kiara Sherman was the pitcher for Ronan, having to step in after their regular starting pitcher, Macao Jackson, was injured Wednesday night. Even though Hamilton had the lead, the game was anything but easy.
“It was a tough one,” according to Kearns. “I think they are all just tired. All my seniors came off the senior trip last night. Their bus broke down and they didn’t get into the motel until about 11:30.”
Jorden Taggart was in the pitcher’s circle and took the 9-7 win. But she said it wasn’t her best effort. In the top of the seventh inning, Hamilton had a four run lead but an overthrow allowed a couple of runners to score before the Lady Broncs ended the inning and the game with a 9-7 win.
Sophia Doyle had three hits for Hamilton including a triple. Olivia Zepeda had a double and two RBIs. Phoebe Howard had a double and knocked in three runners. Abby Johnson hit twice with a double each time and had an RBI.
Hamilton then advanced to the second round game where they took on Hardin, the No. 1 seed from the East. Kearns said that although the first game was a tough game, he felt his team was relaxed and ready to play Hardin. This game came down to a pitcher’s duel between Taggart and Demi Uffekaman of Hardin. Taggart allowed only three hits in the game with one run in the 2-1 victory for the Lady Broncs. Taggart also had two hits including a double and two RBIs.
“I was just like, I got to do this, I got to do this,” said Taggart the game progressed. “My team has had my back (this season), this is my time to get their back. I had a rough game last game and starting off strong was really important. I feel like I ended strong too. The first game kind of humbled me a little. I had to refocus.”
Kearns said Taggart was not happy with her first game and that he told her that sometimes, it’s just about getting through. He went on to say Hardin is a tough team that throws hard and has great players. “We made great plays” he concluded.
Hamilton advanced to the undefeated semifinals on Friday where they met up with the hometown Polson team. Taggart was again the pitcher and Katelyne Druyvestein was the pitcher for Polson. Polson scored a run in the first inning but that was the only run they made. Taggart held them to only four hits in the game. Hamilton tied the game in the second inning When Olivia Zepeda hit a double to score Madison Johnson. They then took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on an error. Johnson had two hits including a double. Maggie Ringer and Olivia Zepeda each had a hit as well. Haley Frey had an RBI and so did Zepeda.
Hamilton advanced to the undefeated final against Belgrade on Saturday morning. Belgrade was the two-time state champion and brought a very experienced, tough team while going for their third championship. Their pitcher, Erin Elgas, is one of the toughest in the state. She held the Lady Broncs to five hits in the 10-3 loss, a statistic that Kearns was happy with.
“Belgrade is a good team and I thought we hit them very well,” he said.
Hamilton didn’t score until the top of the fifth when Chantele Sisson crossed the plate after Howard hit a long ball to right field. But Hamilton couldn’t stop the bats of Belgrade. Olivia Cook hit a home run with two RBIs. Ellie Milesnick also had a home run and had two RBIs. Hamilton’s Doyle and Johnson also had RBIs.
With the loss, Hamilton had to play Polson again. The winner would advance to the championship game against Belgrade, the loser would take third place. Taggart was the pitcher again for Hamilton and Druyvestein pitched for Polson.
The ground was wet from the downpour that hit Polson that morning which enabled lead off batter Doyle to lay down the perfect bunt and catch Polson off guard. With Doyle on first, Johnson stepped up to bat and was walked. Mikalyn Brickley popped out in right field but that allowed Doyle to get home for the run.
But Polson was also very determined and focused. They scored two runs in the first inning and took the lead. Hamilton had a couple of chances to tie the game couldn’t connect. Polson went on to win, 6-2. Hamilton finished third.
“People didn’t think we were going to make it to the state tournament,” said Doyle. “So it was really good to prove those all wrong. That was our goal to play on Saturday, and we did.”
Stevensville also played at the state tournament. They opened against Columbia Falls and stuck with the WildKats before falling the bottom of the seventh inning, 4-3. Ashlin Hiller was the pitcher for the Yellowjackets. Although Stevensville didn’t have any errors, Hiller allowed eight hits in the game. Stevensville tied the game in the top of the seventh inning when Cassie Kopsa was walked. Kaylee Berning laid a bunt down the line to advance Kopsa. Syd Paul popped out for the second out but then Haley Kampka knocked a triple to score Kopsa and tie the game. But Columbia Falls hit a walk off single to win the game.
The Yellowjackets took on Lewistown in their second game, the first round of the consolation round. Sarah Morrison was pitching for Stevensville. They had a three run lead going into the top of the seventh inning. Lewistown scored twice and had two runners on base with two outs when Hiller took over pitching for the save. Stevensville won, 4-3. Paul, Dani Trangmoe, and Taylor Springer all had doubles. Berning, Kampka and Hiller each had an RBI.
Stevensville was in a must win situation as they took on Livingston in loser out action. Hiller was again pitching. Stevensville built up a 10-3 lead by the bottom of the fourth inning and then scored three more runs in the fifth inning. But Livingston came back to tie the game at 13 all in the seventh inning. Each team scored a run in the eighth inning but then Livingston scored twice more to win, 16-14, and eliminate Stevensville.
Kampka finished her high school career with a home run and there RBIs. Trangmoe and Springer each had doubles. Springer had three RBIs and Hiller had two. Mikayla Newman, Maddie Sims and Kopsa also had RBIs.